OUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN ORLANDO FOR DATE NIGHT
A new year brings a renewed outlook, goal setting, and a fresh start. Try something new and explore our city to start the year off right this month.
There’s a lot on our curated guide of things to do in Orlando, so keep scrolling! It starts with event highlights for things to do this week, followed by our top picks for things to do in Orlando for the rest of the month. You’ll also find an ongoing events section for even more ideas. Check back often as we add more Orlando events to this listing throughout the month.
For even more things to do in Orlando, check out these trending stories:
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Things to do in Orlando January 1 – 2
Yoga at the Brewery
Sunday, January 2, 10:30am
Ivanhoe Brewing
Shake of the Saturday hangover and rejuvenate yourself with Yoga at The Brewery every first Sunday of the month.
$10
Sabor Orlando: A Latin Experience
Sunday, January 2, 2022 4-11pm
The Keg Social
Spice up your Sunday at Sabor Orlando: A Latin Experience! The Keg Social is proud to host their first ever Latin party! Dance into the night with fun salsa & bachata classes and a live DJ. Get the full taste with their Latin-inspired food & drinks including tacos, mojitos and more. And as always, their unique games & activities are available all night long.
Access to this event is only $10 and includes a 30-minute game card!
Image credit: The Keg Social
Night of a Million Lights
Through January 2
Give Kids the World Village
Stroll the 84-acre nonprofit resort, aglow with more than three million lights. Guests will experience a 360-degree dancing lights show, sparkling tree trail, 100 decorated villas, larger-than-life holiday-themed displays and more.
$25 – $40
Orlando Events January 3 – 9
2021 Sundance Shorts
Monday, January 3, 6:30pm
Enzian Theater
92-minute theatrical program of 7 short films selected from the 2021 Sundance Film Festival program, widely considered the premier showcase for short films and the launchpad for many now-prominent independent filmmakers for close to 40 years.
$12
407 Food Fair
Saturday, January 8, 2-7pm
Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co
This monthly food & craft festival will be held the second Saturday of the month. Each month will feature a different food theme and you will be able to sample the food offerings from 8-12 food vendors and shop from local vendors all while enjoying the views and brews of Ivanhoe Park Brewing!
FREE Admission
Moon Goddess Night Market
Saturday, January 8, 6pm
Orlando Brewing
Night market featuring artisan vendors at the brewery.
FREE Admission
Dazzling Nights
Through January 9
Leu Gardens
3/4 mile journey of awe-inspiring light experiences including a million dazzling lights, shining forests, magical displays, music and beautiful sculptures.
$25
Orlando Beer Week
January 9 – 16
Various Locations
Orlando Beer Week is a brewery-led week full of exciting events, beer releases, and a warm sense of community.
Menu prices vary
Things to do in Orlando January 10 – 16
Thornton Park District 2nd Thursday Wine & Art Walk
Thursday, January 13, 6:30-9:30pm
Thornton Park District
Orlando’s favorite reoccurring art night, with 20+ places to stop for a tasty libation along with art vendors, live music, DJ, artists and all sorts of fun! The cost of admission grants you a wristband glass and a map of all the participating drink locations. Glass pickup this month is at The Veranda at Thornton Park.
$10 in advance; $15 at the door
Orlando Fringe Winter Mini Fest
January 13 – 16
HAOS on Church and The Depot
The Orlando Fringe Winter Mini-Fest is a 4-day curated theatre festival. This year, the festival will be in-person featuring ticketed theatrical performances and a free outdoor music festival.
$3 for Fringe button; Show prices vary
Rise & Shine
January 14 and 16, 7:30pm
Steinmetz Hall at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
For the first show in Steinmetz Hall, an incredible lineup of regional artists will truly bring the Dr. Phillips Center vision, Arts For Every Life®, to the stage. More than 250 performers will come together for Rise & Shine—a one-of-a-kind, two-day showcase of diverse talent from across Central Florida.
$35 and up
Dr. Phillips Center Grand Celebration
Multiple shows and events January 14 – 26
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Celebrate the completion of Steinmetz Hall with a host of events and performances including Leon Bridges, Jennifer Hudson, Royal Ballet & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and more.
Show prices vary
Downtown Clermont Mega Food Truck Rally
Saturday, January 15, 4-9pm
Historic Downtown Clermont
Enjoy a selection of 20+ food trucks, wine and beer along with vendors & crafters and music from School of Rock! Stores will be open late for shopping.
FREE Admission
The Foreigner Culinary Experience
Saturday, January 15, 7:30pm
The Heavy
The Foreigner provides its guests a multi-course omakase/menu confiance style dinner from Chef Bruno Fonseca and team, with an opportunity to live the inner workings of an active kitchen.
$135
Image credit: The Foreigner Experience
Orlando Events January 17 – 23
The Wine Down Show
Wednesday, January 19, 7:30pm
SAK Comedy Lab
Orlando’s Best Comedy Club (7 years running) is now bringing you a Wine Down Wednesday event including “all you can drink” wine and a comedy improv show featuring top professional talent.
$25
Historic Downtown Clermont Wine Stroll
Friday, January 21, 6:30-9pm
Historic Downtown Clermont
Explore historic Downtown Clermont while sampling wine at various shops. Tickets will be available beginning at 5:30pm at Optima One Realty.
$20
Brew & View: 10 Things I Hate About You
Friday, January 21, 6:30-9:30pm
Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company
Break out your lawn chairs & blankets and enjoy the movie on the big screen!
FREE Admission
Yoga Under the Stars
Friday, January 21, 7pm
Orlando Brewing
Yoga Under the Stars, an all-levels-welcome yoga class led by ACROSARAH. Class includes a 16 oz. OB beer of your choice.
$12
Orlando Brewing. Photo credit: Alberto William
The Foreigner Culinary Experience
January 21 and 22, 7:30pm
The Heavy
The Foreigner provides its guests a multi-course omakase/menu confiance style dinner from Chef Bruno Fonseca and team, with an opportunity to live the inner workings of an active kitchen.
$135
Fabio’s Table: Healthy Mediterranean Cuisine
January 21 and 22, 6 and 8pm
VINIA Wine & Kitchen
“Fabio’s Table” offers guests the opportunity to enjoy an intimate multi-course, wine pairing menu hosted by VINIA owner Fabio Perricelli, during select Friday and Saturday nights each month.
$85; $125 with wine pairings
Dragons and Fairies
January 21 – March 6
Leu Gardens
Experience this moving story as live actors in beautiful costumes lead you on a 3/4 mile journey. Along the way, you’ll encounter large-scale lighting installations, lots of surprises and animatronic dragons.
$25
Wine Wars Wine Competition
Saturday, January 22, 5pm
The Veranda at Thornton Park
WINE WARS is a competitive wine tasting event where even the loser gets to take something home.
$25 – $35
Things to do in Orlando January 24 – 31
Ain’t Too Proud
January 25 – 30, multiple showtimes
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations is the electrifying new smash-hit Broadway musical that follows The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
$50
Live at Timucua: Ben Rosenblum
Thursday, January 27, 7:30pm
Timucua Arts Foundation
Award-winning New York City jazz pianist and accordionist Ben Rosenblum returns to Timucua. Please bring a bottled beverage to share.
$25
Michael Andrew and the Sinatra Sextette
January 27 – 29, multiple showtimes
Darden Courtyard at Orlando Shakes
Frank Sinatra is the subject for local legend Michael Andrew and this special sextette.
$60 table for two
Brew, View & Chew: Goonies
Friday, January 28, 6:30-9:30pm
Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company
The brewery will have food trucks & a movie in the parking lot for an amazing Friday Night out!
FREE Admission
Catch free outdoor movies on Friday nights | Image credit: Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company
The Foreigner Culinary Experience
January 28 and 29, 7:30pm
The Heavy
The Foreigner provides its guests a multi-course omakase/menu confiance style dinner from Chef Bruno Fonseca and team, with an opportunity to live the inner workings of an active kitchen.
$135
Florida S.M.a.S.H. Beer Festival
Saturday, January 29, 1-5pm
311 W Warren Ave, Longwood
The Florida SMaSH Beer Festival was created to celebrate the creativity and camaraderie of breweries in the Sunshine State & beyond! Each brewery must concoct a beer made from the same single malt and single hop. This limitation forces brewers to think outside the box while focusing on innovative flavor, outstanding quality, and technique.
$45
Poetry and Art Wine Walk
Saturday, January 29, 2-5pm
Audubon Park Garden District
Stroll through some of the APGD’s favorite spots while tasting a variety of wines,while enjoying public art and poetry installations along the way.
Tickets go on sale soon
Science on Tap
Saturday, January 29, 3-8pm
Loch Haven Park
Craft beer connoisseurs 21+ are invited to hop(s) in for an evening of brews, food, and science while supporting a good cause!
$60 general admission; $90 VIP
More Ideas: Ongoing Orlando Events
Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild
November 19, 2021 – January 16, 2022
Central Florida Zoo
Experience the Zoo like you’ve never seen it before! See over 30 different, hand-constructed illuminated lanterns displayed around the Zoo on a 3/4 mile path.
$20
Cirque du Soleil Drawn to Life
Multiple performance dates and times
Disney Springs
In this first-ever collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering, journey into a world where an animator’s desk becomes the stage and drawings come alive. The show is a celebration of life, accentuated by the delightful, mesmerizing movements of Cirque du Soleil’s acrobatic mastery.
Tickets start at $85
Tasty Takeover in The Milk District
Tuesdays from 6:30-10pm
The Milk District – E. Robinson St
THE food truck block party in Orlando! Find it in The Milk District every Tuesday night behind the bars and shops of E. Robinson St.
FREE Admission
Related: How to Have an Orlando Food Truck Date
Tuesday Trivia
Tuesdays at 7pm
Hourglass Brewing
Head to Hourglass Brewing every Tuesday and join Kendra for some great trivia and brews!
FREE Admission
Piano Bar Show at Jewel
Thursdays from 8:30-10:30pm
Jewel Orlando
Dueling Piano players take the stage for a fun night of song requests and sing-alongs! Call (321) 444-5306 after 5pm to get your password for speakeasy entry.
FREE admission with password
Image credit: Jewel Orlando
Free Friday Nights at the Morse
Fridays from 5-8pm through April
Morse Museum
Receive free admission every Friday night!
FREE Admission
Private Telescope Experience at OSC
Fridays and Saturdays through March 5, 8:30pm or 9:45pm
Orlando Science Center
Spend an evening amongst the stars with a private experience in Orlando Science Center’s iconic observatory & planetarium!
$250 for up to 5 people
Related: New Private Stargazing Experience at Orlando Science Center
Image credit: Beth Bell
Winter Garden Farmers Market
Saturdays from 8am-1pm
Downtown Winter Garden
FREE Admission
Weekends at the Winery
Saturdays and Sundays, noon-4pm
Lakeridge Winery
Head to this Central Florida winery’s expansive vineyard green each weekend for delicious food, live entertainment, complimentary wine tastings/tours, and Lakeridge wines by the glass at the outdoor bar.
FREE admission
Orlando Farmers Market
Sundays from 10am-3pm
Lake Eola Park
FREE Admission
Road Trip: Events in Tampa Bay this month
Planning to head to Tampa this month? Here’s a guide to the best Tampa Bay events this month from Tampa Bay Date Night Guide. If you’re planning to bring the kids, check out this guide to family-friendly events and activities in Tampa Bay from our sister publication Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine.
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Disclosure: Some, but not all, of the Orlando events featured in this post are hosted by our valued advertising partners.
Feature image credit: Dr. Phillips Center, photo by Steve Williams Photography